The Human Revolution, Volume One

by Daisaku Ikeda, Arnold J. Toynbee (Foreword), Teikichi Miyoshi (Illustrator)

English (translation)
Original Japanese

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction

250 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Daisaku Ikeda was a Buddhist philosopher, peacebuilder, educator, author and poet. He was the third president of the Soka Gakkai lay Buddhist organization and the founding president of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), which is today one of the world's largest and most diverse lay Buddhist organizations, promoting a philosophy of character development and social engagement for peace.

Ikeda was the founder of the Soka (value-creation) schools, a nondenominational school system based on an ideal of fostering each student's unique creative potential and cultivating an ethic of peace, social contribution and global consciousness. The school system runs from kindergarten through graduate study and includes a university in Tokyo, Japan, and another in California, U.S.A.

Ikeda was a staunch proponent of dialogue as the foundation of peace. Since the 1970s he has pursued dialogue with a wide range of individuals around the world in political, cultural, educational and academic fields. Over 50 of these have been published in book form, with people such as Mikhail Gorbachev, Elise Boulding, Joseph Rotblat and André Malraux. In furtherance of his vision of fostering dialogue and solidarity for peace, Ikeda has founded a number of independent, nonprofit research institutes that develop cross-cultural, interdisciplinary collaboration on diverse issues: the Boston Research Center for the 21st Century, the Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research and the Institute of Oriental Philosophy. The Min-On Concert Association and the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum promote mutual understanding and friendship between different national cultures through the arts.

Ikeda was a prolific writer who has published more than 100 works, ranging from Buddhist philosophy to biographical essays, poetry, children's stories and photographic collections.

Reviews

[Ling · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many in-depth about Soka Gakkai establishment after Toda sensei was released from prison. I learned a lot from this book on how to be a student, disciple, leader and most importantly a human.

This is my favourite quote from the book.
"True understanding is always born of serious doubts resolve through faith."-Josei Toda

No wonder why Ikeda sensei look up to him so much. #NMHRGK

[Simran Kalsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished volume 1. Will begin volume 2 today. Have vowed to read all the volumes of The Human Revolution by the end of March 2021. This book is so encouraging. The journey of Josei Toda to raise Soka Gakkai from the ruins of post world war two Japan. Amazing! Inspiring! Brilliant! Sensei, your vow is my vow!

[Snufkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great way to start the year reading this book, especially Toda's lectures on the Lotus Sutra was a powerful reminder of the importance of study. I hope to read all 12 volumes this year - one a month!

[Ray-Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of great history, and very spiritual